Franklin County, PA Public Defender’s Office

The Franklin County Public Defender's Office is located in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. With one Chief Public Defender, six Assistant Public Defenders, one Paralegal and other supporting staff, the office is responsible for furnishing legal counsel to any person who, for lack of sufficient funds, cannot obtain legal counsel in any situation where representation is constitutionally guaranteed. In general, a person is entitled to legal counsel whenever that individual's liberty is at stake. This would include capital crimes, misdemeanor and felony offenses, and summary offenses that carry a mandatory sentence of incarceration. In Franklin County, eligibility for public defender services is based on federal poverty guidelines. In addition, income, family financial responsibilities and the nature of the charges are all considered in determining qualification for legal representation by the public defender. The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the rights of criminal defendants, including the right to a public trial without unnecessary delay and the right to a lawyer. Please contact the Franklin County Public Defender's Office directly if you need any further information.